SILVER FINISH FOR FANSHAWE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL AT NATIONALS

CCAA Gold Final: VIU Mariners 72, Fanshawe Falcons 58

The VIU Mariners are national champions.

After a tightly contested opening quarter, VIU seized control in the second frame and never looked back, defeating the Fanshawe Falcons 72–58 to claim the CCAA title.

Fanshawe held an early edge, leading 18–16 after the first quarter, but VIU responded with a decisive 26-point second quarter to take a 42–35 halftime lead. That momentum carried through the second half, where the Mariners' defensive pressure and perimeter shooting proved decisive.

VIU's balanced attack was led by Sarah Cook with 18 points, while Samantha Shields added 17 and Kaia Simpson chipped in 10 off the bench. The Mariners were particularly effective from beyond the arc, shooting an efficient 47.6 per cent from three-point range.

Fanshawe was paced by Ashlyn Anderson's double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Edith Eseme's 14 points, but struggled with turnovers and second-half shooting, finishing at 39 per cent from the field.

VIU's depth and composure ultimately separated the teams, as they closed out the game with a controlled fourth quarter to secure the national championship.

CCAA Semi-Final: Fanshawe Falcons 89, Dawson Blues 78 (OT)

Behind a historic triple-double from Ashlyn Anderson, the Fanshawe Falcons secured a gritty 89–78 overtime victory against the Dawson Blues. With the win, Fanshawe advances to the gold medal game, where they will meet VIU on Saturday night.

The Falcons overcame a slow start, trailing by 12 after the first quarter, to force a 76–76 tie at the end of regulation. Fanshawe dominated the extra period, outscoring Dawson 13–2 to seal the victory.

The win was fueled by Anderson's monster performance of 31 points, 26 rebounds, and 10 blocks. She was supported by Edith Eseme, who provided a spark with 19 points off the bench, and Layla MacKenzie, who contributed 15 points.

Dawson was led by a standout effort from Mia Simpson, who scored 26 points — including an efficient 6-of-10 from three-point range — while adding five rebounds and five steals. Aya El-Ouali also reached double digits for Dawson with 11 points, while Mila Garneau cleaned up the glass with eight rebounds.

CCAA Quarter-Final: Fanshawe Falcons 67, Douglas Royals 62

In the most competitive matchup of the day, the Fanshawe Falcons showcased their resilience by withstanding a relentless late-game surge from the Douglas Royals to secure a hard-fought 67-62 victory.

The ability of the Falcons to maintain their composure under pressure proved to be the difference-maker, as they executed down the stretch to stave off a determined Royals comeback effort that brought the crowd to its feet.

The Falcons' victory was anchored by a masterclass in interior defence and glass-crashing from Ashlyn Anderson. Anderson delivered a staggering all-around performance that impacted every square inch of the court, tallying 12 points and a massive 19 rebounds. Her defensive presence was particularly demoralizing for the Royals, as she swatted away six shots and hauled in three steals to anchor the paint.

Supplementing this defensive clinic was Layla MacKenzie, whose 16 points provided the necessary offensive spark to keep Fanshawe ahead during the Royals' most threatening runs.

The Douglas Royals certainly didn't go down without a fight, led by a gritty double-double from Mackenzie Dalphond. Dalphond was a force of nature in her own right, pacing the Royals with 14 points and 16 rebounds in a tireless effort to reclaim the lead. Despite her dominance on the boards and the Royals' collective grit in the closing minutes, the deficit proved just out of reach.

With the win, Fanshawe survives the quarter-finals and moves one step closer to the podium.

CCAA Championship Site: www.ccaa.ca/sports/wbkb/championship/index

Source: Dawson Blues/CCAA Communications

Photo Credit: James Paddle-Grant